19 further products have now been added to the list of food products
withdrawn from sale in the UK because of contamination with
Para Red, the banned food dye which may cause cancer. The list now stands at
66 items, the latest information on the complete list is
available on the Food
Standards Agency website.

Added to this list are two products specifically marketed to the wheat &
gluten free market:

Meridian Tikka Masala Sauce, free from gluten, wheat & dairy.
Sauce, 350g
Best before or use by date: July 06

The colouring was found in cayenne pepper used in the products, and although
it is a known carcinogen the FSA says that the risk
to health is very small. People who have any of the foods on the list at home
should obtain a refund from either the store they bought it
from or the manufacturer.

The first warning issued by the FSA on 5 May did not include any wheat &
gluten free products, and currently only two have been
identified and added to the list.

The FSA says its independent scientific experts have advised that while there
is very limited data available about Para Red, "it would
be prudent to assume that it could be a...carcinogen". "At the levels found,
the risk from eating any of these foods is very small,
but as a precaution it would be sensible not to eat them".

The contaminated spice is thought to have originated in Uzbekistan and been
supplied to food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers
by a Spanish company.

Para Red is chemically similar to Sudan 1, the potential carcinogen that was
found in a batch of Worcester Sauce in February 2005
(our blog
comment).